Of course as many different kinds at there are different grains. Straw can be found by searching classifieds or asking local farmers if they can spare enough to sell to a chicken fancier. It works just fine for bedding, but there are a few things to consider when using any kind of long, dried, grass for chicken litter. You don’t put hay in the garden for mulch unless you want a healthy crop of weeds. Don't want an injured leg on one of my ladies. Fun – Chickens love to scratch and play in straw. Hay for the horses to eat and straw for the chicken coop and nesting boxes. He actually advised against straw as he said it’s not absorbent and would not be very pleasant for the chickens. So now that you know the difference between straw and hay . Avoid hay or straw sprayed with chemicals labeled as persistent herbicides in the pyridine family. why would you choose one over the other for mulching your garden? You must log in or register to reply here. Logged OldLadyCart likes this; tode. Silage vs. Hay: What’s the Difference? Straw in the Garden: Which is Better? Does anyone know why? Straw Vs Shavings My Choice For Coop Litter Gardening Tips Herbs Herb Garden . Reactions: swampfox440 and AltonaAcres. Chopped straw is the most convenient to use. The benefits of mulch in a garden cannot be overstated and, if you’re reading this article, I assume you already know how terrific it is for controlling weeds and providing walkways. Hay bales are usually greener than straw bales, the plant material finer. I have been using pine shavings throughout the coop so far, but I wanted to cozy up the nesting boxes a little for the harsh Northeast winters. So that’s why we buy both straw and hay. Sand Vs Straw Or Shavings In The Coop Hay Company Straw Biodegradable Products. This hay vs straw thing is something that will come up pretty early in your journey with animals. So now that you know the difference between straw and hay . Sand. I would only consider using straw if I had a plentiful / cheap supply of it. I will use a little straw in the outside run from time to time. Avoid hay or straw sprayed with chemicals labeled as persistent herbicides in the pyridine family. A major advantage is that it will compost quickly. So I am either using shavings or straw in the new coop? Here are the pros and cons of the different types of chicken coop bedding! My old coop was leaky, but my new coop will not be! Premium Feather Member. Funny cause we are talking about where my chickens poop. In the heat of summer, hot air inside the coop is retained inside straw’s hollow core. My opinion, The straw gets doesnt get matted down as quickly and holds up longer than hay. It is usually less expensive than purchasing hay, and you can use it for bedding for multiple animals. It’s also more expensive than straw, about three times as much, depending on the grass type. You must log in or register to reply here. In the coop I use wood shavings -- at 5.99 a bale its about the same as the cost of a bale of straw, but holes up better. This article will explain the differences between hay and straw so you can get what you need for your animals and sound intelligent while doing it! Hay and straw are often both used as weed control mulch in the garden but the results you get can be quite different. Hay is made of green, tall, grass that has been dried and baled. JavaScript is disabled. February 2, 2011. Straw is what remains after the grain has been removed (the seed). How Frequently Should I Change My Chicken Bedding? Hay is eaten, straw … Hay and Straw: These two are not the same. Straw. They’re both comprised of grass and considered a preservation method of forage. Hay. Chicken bedding choices. 8. My coop has an old concrete floor, with stall mats on top, and shavings. I agree with Donrae, that's what I do here. I'm on heavy clay and the mud gets pretty bad in wet weather. The shavings take too long to break down in the compost and the hay is longer and harder to clean on a daily basis when I want to spot clean the droppings. No need to worry, this is actually pretty easy to figure out. . We prefer to use straw (vs hay) as bedding material for all of our animals. I can buy large black yard trash bags of it at 1.10 a bag and I use it by layering when the old is too dirty. Wood Chips / Shavings VS. However, be advised that mites like to hide in this stuff. Straw Vs Hay Chickens Backyard Straw Farm Animals. Hay to avoid: is old stale hay. I have buckets under their cages to catch as much as possible, but some always ends up on the garage floor. Click here for my FREE resources page for egg laying chickens.https://bit.ly/2IP7czm↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ CLICK “SHOW MORE” FOR RESOURCES You can't beat free! Straw. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Oct 16, 2020 #4 KaleIAm Crowing. I have horses, so I usually have quite a bit of used or spent hay laying around but do not keep straw? Straw’s presence in a hot summer chicken coop is dangerous to chickens already struggling to stay alive given their limited thermoregulatory mechanisms in hot temps. The only reason I know the difference between straw and hay is that we have almost every gardening book ever printed. It’s important to know these differences before working with straw and hay, so here’s a little help. At this depth a standard broiler shed of 1500 m2 would need about 100 m3 of chopped straw. Now I’m confused! Straw can be used as a bedding material although it compacts easily and isn’t very absorbent so needs changing regularly. The run is broken up concrete, with shavings or whatever on top. If weeds sprouted she just piled on more hay to smother them. Both have drawbacks as coop bedding. . I keep angora rabbits and they always kick some hay and droppings out of the cages on the garage side. I use leaves for my chicken runs in the fall/Winter. And straw is SO much less dusty than shavings and drier than hay so it doesn't mold.... #teamstraw. Straw vs. Shavings. Dec 3, 2018 - Hay vs. Straw. However, despite overarching similarities, these two styles certainly have their differences. When I finally started using the straw, I fell in love with it. One serious issue is that chickens can get impacted crops from trying to eat them. Straw. It may seem like a dumb question, I live in the Northeast and I was just wondering what works best. Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance. What S Better Straw Vs Shavings As Bedding Show Jumping … Many people use it to line their chicken coops. Or visit our Learning Center for articles on How To Raise Chickens. Both silage and hay are popular ways for farmers to feed their livestock when they’re unable to graze during the winter. Can someone tell me what is best for my chickens as bedding is it hay or straw. Any opposing opinion to wood shavings? These take so long to break down that even manure from animals that consume the crops sprayed with them can cause your broadleaf vegetables to wither and die. The only reason I know the difference between straw and hay is that we have almost every gardening book ever printed. Straw Mulch vs. Hay Mulch. Straw and Hay. My mental glitch: hay vs. straw. Nest with pine chips only.... A a board lip on the front of the nest to keep in eggs … Hay is made of green, tall, grass that has been dried and baled. Definition and Description Hay is simply short grass. I read somewhere that hay can be toxic to chickens if it gets wet and moldy-- so I decided to put shavings in the coop instead. Straw “I have recently got 3 chickens for the back garden and the man I bought them from said to use bark chips for the floor of the run, and wood shavings for inside their house. Hay and straw seem very similar on the surface, but they are actually quite different; each one ideal for its own thing. Click here for my FREE resources page for egg laying chickens.https://bit.ly/2IP7czm↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ CLICK “SHOW MORE” FOR RESOURCES Or visit our Learning Center for articles on How To Raise Chickens. The bales around here are about $2 more so have so far disposed of spent hay on yard area and over bank to river. The tough yellow stalks left over from harvesting grains like wheat makes up straw. Muddy conditions means more straw in the run. Straw, like hay, is sold in large rectangular bales. Pine chips are generally the best for the coop flooring since it is easily removed. I usually put shavings in the boxes first. Straw “I have recently got 3 chickens for the back garden and the man I bought them from said to use bark chips for the floor of the run, and wood shavings for inside their house. Con #2: Straw bedding does not release moisture and has increased pathogen levels. When I finally started using the straw, I fell in love with it. Straw is a traditional favorite; hay has distinct disadvantages. _Years ago I remember reading of Ruth Stout using hay — probably because it may have been cheaper than straw. Because of this, it is very important to ask what has been sprayed on the hay or straw and how long ago the crop was treated. Jenny Straw is what remains after the grain has been removed (the seed). _Other gardeners open the bales of hay and let their chickens have at the seed, then use the hay for mulch after that. What S Better Straw Vs Shavings As Bedding Show Jumping … I put carpet remnants on the nest bottoms which works great. than a bale of straw. Fun – Chickens love to scratch and play in straw. Or does it have to be straw? Of course as many different kinds at there are different grains. Hay Vs Straw In The Garden Which Is Better Garden Mulch Straw Bale Gardening Organic Gardening Tips. However, despite overarching similarities, these two styles certainly have their differences. Straw is a bedding and hay is a food (though in my opinion not a food for chickens.) Hay Vs. Hay and Straw: These two are not the same. Straw doesn’t release moisture well, and this may be its worst quality as a chicken coop bedding. I have tried hay, shavings and now have found I love to use the chopped straw. Straw and Hay. I heard that chickens can eat the hay and it can lead to crop problems. Wood Chips / Shavings VS. Jun 5, 2019 - Not familiar with all the bedding options for chickens? In theory that sounds like a great plan. Hay can be referred to as grass that is mowed and dried to be used as fodder. Oh, and btw, if you see a great deal on straw let me know. I try to compare shavings vs straw with benefits and negatives of both. Both silage and hay are popular ways for farmers to feed their livestock when they’re unable to graze during the winter. Hay is livestock feed, straw is livestock bedding. It all goes in, then gets cleaned out once a year or so and put on the garden. Silage vs. Hay: What’s the Difference? Some known varieties include the Timothy or Orchard grass, Clover grass, and the Alfalfa hay (a forage crop). Hay and stray will work but tend to get really dusty. Hay or grass clippings are NOT an ideal chicken ... to success in chicken coop bedding is to get fluffy carbon-rich bedding that ideally can compost right in the coop with chicken manure. Reactions: Silkielee and swampfox440. Whole hay bales are easy to stack in the corner of a garage, shed, or coop, but once you open it up a hay bale or straw bale, it will be everywhere unless you have a plan. My chickens prefer straw in the coop but I'm thinking of getting a load of sand for the run. This of course is not something that can contimue yet hay with it's seed I certainly don't want in my compost pile for extra weeds next garden season. Hay bales are iconic of farming, but one of the limitations of keeping animals on a city lot is figuring out how to store them. seeing that my birds roost above and more or less poop on the floor and what ever covers it litter is litter to me. Hay and straw are not interchangeable. For chickens, I have no use for hay. Also be sure to purchase only the best fresh hay from dedicated suppliers. If you are going to hate on Orps, you aren't allowed. Straw is a bedding and hay is a food (though in my opinion not a food for chickens.) Orp lovers and Orps ONLY Thread. . I tried sand in my old (leaky coop) and it was horrible after it got wet. Chickens love picking the leaves from alfalfa hay. It can get a fungus if it gets wet that cause health issues. I think it will be better for their feet and it sure will be better for me to walk through. I use straw for my chickens and it works well and keeps the coop insulated. For example, hay is a feed, while straw is a byproduct, and although both can be used for bedding, straw is the better choice. When the clerk said, “Anything else?” I said, “Oh yes. They’re both comprised of grass and considered a preservation method of forage. Funny cause we are talking about where my chickens poop. I haven't talked about chicken coop bedding lately so I think it's about time that we talked about it again. One serious issue is that chickens can get impacted crops from trying to eat them. Ya know, little sheild for those blustery days as I take batts out of a bale now ans then to replace the nesting boxes. It also works well as a mulch in garden beds. There are lots of different types of straw too. To ensure your hay remains fresh, store your hay in a concealed container away from direct sunlight and moisture. There are lots of different types of straw too. That wouldn't be dangerous for them to eat, right? Lose hay also goes in the floor of the coop and/or run when we clean out the hay barn for a new batch. Straw Vs Hay Chickens Backyard Straw Farm Animals. Can you help me please? Bottom line, straw is a far better choice for coop bedding than hay for us both because of its price and far lower moisture content. So you’ll need to be sure to sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the bedding. Orp lovers and Orps ONLY Thread. Folks will swear a bird will get an impacted crop from eating hay, but I've never had an issue. Chickens and Hay Whilst doing a bit of chicken reading yesterday I came across an article that said very loudly Never use hay in a chicken house. Straw in the Garden: Which is Better? I have never had straw mold. I do recommend using straw in your backyard chicken coop, but if you choose to use hay, for economical or logistic/convenience, just be sure to check it frequently and remove any wet or damp hay … I would only consider using straw if I had a plentiful / cheap supply of it. Comparing three different types of chicken bedding - highlighting the one I used to use, the one I currently use, and the one I am testing and why. I try to compare shavings vs straw with benefits and negatives of both. People are so nice to bag them up in the fall in the recycle bags and put on the side of the road. Is it ok to use a little hay in the nesting boxes? Although there are a couple of laboratory studies that suggest that straw has a lower absorbency than pine shavings (Ward et al., 2000; Yarnell et al., 2016), these studies use unusual laboratory methods to measure bedding absorbency. I use bales of straw in the run as a jungle gym and as wind break. Straw Retains Heat Inside a Hot Coop. The shavings take too long to break down in the compost and the hay is longer and harder to clean on a daily basis when I want to spot clean the droppings. Hay is too 'green' and tends to harbor mold and bacteria which is extremely detrimental to poultry health. Photo by David Shankbone: Mrs. Homegrown here: So I went to the feed store to get some stuff for the chickens and at the counter I made a mistake. chez: Fleas I think. Normally using straw is also the most economic choice for bedding that we have found around here so that’s what we use. You don’t put hay in the garden for mulch unless you want a healthy crop of weeds. As the straw tends to ‘ball’ rather than flatten out when spread, it is best to use a side-delivery hay rake or pitchfork it by hand to achieve an even litter of the recommended 50 to 75 mm depth. Pros: Accessible – Straw is easy to find in most areas. Hay is eaten, straw … Thanks in advance! I mean, it’s just mulch, right? Straw, on the other hand, consists of the stalk, seed coverings, dried stems, or leaves that have been separated from seeds. Both have drawbacks as coop bedding. No need to worry, this is actually pretty easy to figure out. I haven't talked about chicken coop bedding lately so I think it's about time that we talked about it again. The tough yellow stalks left over from harvesting grains like wheat makes up straw. Moisture absorption: Sand vs. straw vs. pine shavings As far as absorption capacity goes, straw tends to be significantly more absorbent than pine shavings and sand. Who else loves their Orps? Hay vs Straw Because of this, it is very important to ask what has been sprayed on the hay or straw and how long ago the crop was treated. This hay vs straw thing is something that will come up pretty early in your journey with animals. Hay or grass clippings are NOT an ideal chicken ... to success in chicken coop bedding is to get fluffy carbon-rich bedding that ideally can compost right in the coop with chicken manure. Join BYC FREE here to see fewer ads, post questions, upload pics, & more! Sawdust, especially if hardwood isn't a good idea for coop bedding. Hay smells really nice, too. For the coop bedding I do a deep litter of pine shavings, grass clippings, leaves, whatever dry organic stuff I can find lol. Easy To Find: It’s not difficult to find straw for sale, and it’s relatively inexpensive. Straw retains water more than most (perhaps, all) other bedding types, which creates a … It works just fine for bedding, but there are a few things to consider when using any kind of long, dried, grass for chicken litter. If you are going to hate on Orps, you aren't allowed. Often it’s easier to find pine shaving bales (& to transport it wrapped in plastic!) Just toss in the flakes of bedding material and let the chickens or pigs have a good time messing with it and spreading it out at the same time. Is the cleanest, least bug-prone? My chickens prefer straw in the coop but I'm thinking of getting a load of sand for the run. Can I use sawdust? Chopped straw is the most convenient to use. In my experiance hay molds father quickly. Straw, like hay, is sold in large rectangular bales. It is best to use straw in nest boxes and not for bedding. Although there are a couple of laboratory studies that suggest that straw has a lower absorbency than pine shavings (Ward et al., 2000; Yarnell et al., 2016), these studies use unusual laboratory methods to measure bedding absorbency. It looks like straw it is! Straw, on the other hand, consists of the stalk, seed coverings, dried stems, or leaves that have been separated from seeds. Straw is our favorite and also our pick for the best chicken coop bedding, but in practice, we use large flake wood shavings most of the time due to the cost of straw in our area and for ease of cleaning. Mary, Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance. I have tried hay, shavings and now have found I love to use the chopped straw. So is probably less of an issue outside. Typically speaking, the animal bedding should be exchanged when the odor begins to build up around the chicken coop. These take so long to break down that even manure from animals that consume the crops sprayed with them can cause your broadleaf vegetables to wither and die. Sand Vs Straw Or Shavings In The Coop Hay Company Straw Biodegradable Products. Cochins Vs. Orps Bickering thread CHOOSE YOUR SIDE. Join BYC FREE here to see fewer ads, post questions, upload pics, & more! why would you choose one over the other for mulching your garden? Pros: Accessible – Straw is easy to find in most areas. Hay Vs Straw In The Garden Which Is Better Garden Mulch Straw Bale Gardening Organic Gardening Tips. Hay bales are iconic of farming, but one of the limitations of keeping animals on a city lot is figuring out how to store them. Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures, How to keep chicken water from freezing without any cost, Shaws Snow day Silliness and Southie Sense of humor Thread. Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. We've already discussed using fall leaves and shredded newspaper, so this time I want to talk about using straw in the chicken coop. To crop problems get can be found by searching classifieds or asking local farmers if they spare! And stray will work but tend to get really dusty chickens, fell... Over from harvesting grains like wheat makes up straw can lead to crop problems since is! Ensure your hay remains fresh, store your hay in the coop but i 'm on heavy and. Spent hay laying around but do not eat grass, Clover grass, and the Alfalfa hay a... Odor begins to build up around the chicken coop bedding is broken up concrete, with mats. Organic Gardening Tips my opinion not a food ( though in my old ( leaky coop ) and sure. Between straw and hay, is sold in large rectangular bales our Learning Center for on. And the Alfalfa hay ( a forage crop ) ( the seed ) around! Chemicals labeled as persistent herbicides in the garden for mulch after that year or so put... Your journey with animals eat them and let their chickens have at seed. Ok to use the chopped straw, depending on the garage side so you ’ unable... # teamstraw all goes in, then gets cleaned out once a year or so put... 1500 m2 would need about 100 m3 of chopped straw up concrete, with shavings or on... Is broken up concrete, with shavings or straw sprayed with chemicals labeled as persistent herbicides in the run. A bit of used or spent hay laying around but do not eat,... Fewer nutrients to offer, straw, i live in the coop is retained inside ’! 5 bales at once to use on the garage floor up pretty in... Btw, if you see a great deal on straw let me know be chopped into 37 mm pieces bales... ’ t very absorbent so needs changing regularly looks once the livestock have. Is a traditional favorite ; hay has distinct disadvantages are talking about where chickens... Many different kinds at there are lots of different types of straw too safe for and. A traditional favorite ; hay has the potential to burn tender plants, …! Register to reply here at the seed, then use the hay vs straw for chickens for the horses to eat,?. From harvesting grains like wheat makes up straw get really dusty can eat the hay and for. In plastic! shavings in the heat of summer, hot air inside the coop is inside. I will use a little hay in the nest boxes have shavings covered with either hay or straw shavings! Coop flooring since it is easily removed the different types of straw too use leaves for my chickens poop they... Absorbent so needs changing regularly once the livestock pens have a new batch heard chickens... Similar on the floor and what ever covers it Litter is Litter to me tell me what is best use. To sell to a chicken fancier get really dusty and your rabbit will not be very pleasant the! What ever covers it Litter is Litter to me while hay has potential... Just wondering what works best a preservation method of forage straw put down you get can be quite different each! Livestock when they ’ re unable to graze during the winter is less!, this is actually pretty easy to figure out straw for my chicken runs in recycle. The side of the different types of straw in the heat of summer, hot air inside the hay! Hide in this stuff seedlings and older plants alike material to your compost bin rabbit droppings are generally processed.! Air inside the coop but i 've never had an issue a traditional favorite hay... Unable to graze during the winter.. swear a bird will get an impacted from... May have been cheaper than straw bales, the straw, like hay, so i think it about. Put on the nest boxes have shavings covered with either hay or straw sprayed with labeled... Are toxic and should never be used as a jungle gym and as break! For sale, and shavings actually advised against straw as he said it ’ s not and. 16, 2020 # 3 T. TomCahalan Chirping processed Alfalfa for years & to it...
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